India keeps away from the procedural vote before the UN Security Council's discussion on Ukraine | Hot News

India refrained from in a procedural vote at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday, ahead of a meeting to review the situation on the Ukraine-Russia border.

The United States, the United Kingdom, France, the United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Albania, Norway, Brazil, Mexico, and Ireland were among the ten member states who voted in favor of taking up the Ukraine issue. Russia and China, on the other hand, were the only two member states to vote against it.

Meanwhile, India, Gabon, and Kenya, three member states, abstained from voting.

To proceed with the discussion, the Security Council simply needed nine votes in favour.

"We have been closely watching the unfolding developments relating to Ukraine, particularly through continuous high-level security talks between Russia and the United States, as well as under the Normandy arrangement in Paris," India's representative to the UNSC said in a statement.

"India is interested in finding a solution that will allow for an immediate de-escalation of tensions while also taking into account other countries' legitimate security interests and ensuring long-term peace and stability in the region and beyond. We've also communicated with all parties involved. We believe that the only way to settle the issue is via diplomatic conversation "The statement continued to say.

In the meantime, Russia has accused the US of attempting to "raise frenzy" over the situation on Ukraine's borders.

In response, US Vice President Joe Biden warned Russia of "grave consequences" if it "walks away from diplomacy."

"The US and its allies will continue to engage in good faith with Russia if it is serious about addressing our security concerns through discussion. If Russia attacks Ukraine instead, it will be held responsible and will face rapid and serious consequences "President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, stated.

Russia is said to have gathered a force of 100,000 troops along its Ukrainian border. While Moscow denies any plans to invade Ukraine, Nato member states have issued repeated warnings as a result of the mobilization of soldiers along the Ukrainian border.